Howe breaks silence on double blow and the huge challenge facing Newcastle

Eddie Howe finds himself in an unenviable position as Newcastle manager.

With just over a week until the club’s colossal Carabao Cup final against Liverpool, the gaffer has seemingly been dealt blow after blow to his squad since beating Arsenal in the semi-finals.

And now, with star defender Lewis Hall ruled out of the final alongside banned winger Anthony Gordon, Howe has reflected on the “really sad moments” he and his squad have had to endure over the past week.

Howe on Hall’s season-ending injury

Late on Tuesday night, news broke that Lewis Hall's season was over, with a footy injury picked up in last week's 2-0 defeat at Liverpool leaving him in need of surgery.

Hall, a firm favourite of Howe’s and boyhood Newcastle fan, will be a massive miss for the Magpies, with Howe in a somber mood reflecting on the impact the left back’s absence will have on his side moving forward.

Discussing the injury, Hall's reaction and how he'll bounce back, Howe said: “Yeah, really really sad moment for Lewis, he’s been excellent for us this season.

"I know he’s been particularly hit by the news, the timing of it is particularly tough for him with the cup final obviously just round the corner, and England on the horizon as well.”

“But he’s a really strong character, he’ll come back from it. It’s a nasty injury so we need to make sure he gets treated right and hopefully be back to full strength for next season.”

"Really sad moment for Lewis {Hall}, he's a really strong character and he'll come back from it" 🗣️

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on Lewis Hall's foot injury that will rule him out for the rest of the season ⚫⚪ pic.twitter.com/dzM1D9a7mf

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 5, 2025

Losing both left-sided stars a "big blow"

Hall isn’t the only starter who won’t play at Wembley this season, as Anthony Gordon’s suspension has completely decimated Newcastle’s left flank.

Howe now has the immensely difficult task of not only finding the defensive balance to stop the seemingly-unstoppable Mo Salah, but the attacking and creative output needed to pose a threat to a notoriously stubborn Liverpool defence.

Speaking on Gordon’s absence, Howe has tried to wrap his head around the bad luck his side is experiencing.

“It’s a big blow for us, as the left side’s been a constant source of creativity for us this year. I think both players have been outstanding. Really disappointed for both.

“I don’t quite know how to put a positive spin on it, but I’ll try: opportunities for other players, and we’ll just have to try and find a solution. Our challenge now is to regroup, and we will.”

Howe challenges team to regroup

The 2025 Carabao Cup final will see Newcastle return to Wembley for the first time since the losing effort in the 2023 edition of the competition.

In the run up to that game, Newcastle were of course dealt blow after blow just like this year, most notably when a freak red card for Nick Pope ruled out the No.1 for the big game, much like Gordon’s suspension this time around.

When asked on his emotions and thoughts on history potentially repeating itself for the worse, Howe is staying determined in his approach to the underdog task ahead of him and his team.

“Initially I didn’t think anything as I was so focused on the game, I wasn’t really aware of the repercussions for Anthony. But of course when the dust settled, and it quickly became apparent he was going to miss the final, and obviously with Lewis’ news, hopefully that’s the only similarities!

“Hopefully we can put the disappointment behind us and move forward as team because we have to, and I think both players would want us to do that in a really positive way.”

”They’ll be keen to see the lads do well: that’s our challenge now - to regroup.”